Coccidia In Kittens Treatment

Coccidiosis is a parasitic type of infection caused by the coccidia parasite.

Coccidia in kittens treatment. We do recommend ponazuril as the preferred treatment of coccidia in kittens in a shelter. Coccidiosis is diagnosed through an examination of the kitten s fecal material. The most common coccidia i. While albon sulfadimethoxine is the only fda approved drug the recommended dosing schedule is to administer it for 5 21 days which can be costly both monetarily and in staff time.

The two most common medications that are prescribed to treat coccidiosis are trimethoprim sulfadiazine and sulfadimethoxine. Coccidia can easily be treated with a five day course of a particular antibiotic. Take extra care when monitoring the health of kittens to identify cases of coccidiosis before the infection has progressed too far. Treatment of coccidia in cats in order to treat coccidiosis in a cat showing symptoms your cat will need a specific type of anti parasitic medication to kill the parasite.

Test any pregnant cats for protozoa so that kittens may be treated after birth. Treatment for kittens affected by coccidiosis includes supportive care for example fluid therapies to combat dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea and antibiotic treatment. Whilst there is no licensed treatment for coccidiosis in cats effective medications are available. With appropriate and prompt treatment the prognosis is good.

There are also ways to eliminate risk factors from your cat s environment. It is thought that 5 of all cats acquire coccidiosis at some point in their lives. However if there are coccidian cysts in the cat s bedding on soft furnishings or even on her fur it s perfectly possible for her to re infect herself. If your cat is very dehydrated from diarrhea your vet may administer iv fluids to bring him up to par.

Vets usually prescribe sulfadimethoxine and trimethoprim sulfadiazine. Coccidia belong to a group of single celled parasites called protozoan. If it is not treated over time it can cause damage to the lining of a cat s intestinal tract. It most commonly causes watery mucus based diarrhea in animals.

Sulfa drugs are the primary treatment for coccidia infection though there are other options as well. Your cat may also require treatment for dehydration. The medication doesn t actually kill the coccidia but it keeps them from reproducing so they eventually die off. Felis poses no threat to owners.

Since adult cats rarely show coccidiosis symptoms unless they are ill or stressed you may have an underlying health problem to deal with as well. Treatment of coccidiosis in cats since young pets succumb to this infection if they re not treated promptly it s important to get the cat s feces examined for the presence of coccidia. Usually a drug called trimethoprim sulfonamide is prescribed and given orally to your cat for about a week in order to treat the infection.